10 Games You Should Attend This Season

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The Indiana Pacers 2013-14 schedule was released back in August and we have had a full month to dissect each game and figure out which ones will be worth going to. If you have season tickets then every game is worth going to, but those who are limited have to choose the best games for their buck. Well fear not, I am here to help.

The Pacers offer an 11 and 13-game season-ticket packages, but you don’t have the option of choosing which games you want to attend. To be honest, you’re going to spend more to see teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Orlando Magic than what you would if you bought them off a third-party ticket service.

So let’s say you want front-row seats, but can only attend 10 games this year. Many people will choose the big games against teams like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Those are easily the best games to attend if you want to see the popular squads, but if you are anything like me you want to see a mixture of big-market and small-market teams.

As I scoured the Pacers schedule, I tried to find the unique games; ones that would appeal to more than just Pacers fans. You’ll notice a lack of Los Angeles teams or multiple games against the same team. While making my selections I used the following criteria: is there anyone on the opposing team that people from Indiana will want to watch, did the team significantly change over the offseason and will the ticket price be equivalent to the value you will receive from the game.

My criteria led me to eliminating the Los Angeles Clippers – they didn’t change and I feel there is a lack of interest in the Indy market – and the Lakers – doubtful you will get a great return on your investment, especially if Kobe Bryant isn’t back.

So you know what two games I didn’t choose, but here are the 10 games I suggest every Pacers fan should attend this season. If you think differently, let me know in the comments.

10. October 5, 2013 – Chicago Bulls

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It’s the first game of the 2013-14 season. Yes, I know it’s technically preseason, but it’s still the first game. Oh, and it’s the return of Derrick Rose and Danny Granger. Preseason games are never this monumental.

9. October 29, 2013 – Orlando Magic

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It’s the first game of the 2013-14 regular season, but more importantly it’s also opening night of the NBA. That means the Pacers are sharing the opening night spotlight with the bigger market teams. Oh and it’s the debut of former Indiana University guard Victor Oladipo.

8. November 8, 2013 – Toronto Raptors

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While the Raptor are not anything special, this will be the return of Tyler Hansbrough. I know there were many Pacers fans who enjoyed watching "Psycho T" over the last four years and many who didn’t, so Bankers Life Fieldhouse should be loud.

7. December 10, 2013 – Miami Heat

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Every time the Miami Heat come to town, it’s always a party. They're easily the Pacers biggest rival right now. This game will give fans a mild indication on how the two teams will match up. That’s important because fans fully expect for these two squads to reach the Eastern Conference Finals again.

6. December 13, 2013 – Charlotte Bobcats

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No one cares about the Bobcats, I know, but it’s the first time Pacers and Indiana University fans get to see Cody Zeller play in person. The Indiana native will definitely draw one of the larger crowds the Bobcats will see all year.

5. December 16, 2013 - Detroit Pistons

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The Detroit Pistons may not be anything special this year, but then again they might. The additions of Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith at least make them an easy sell when trying to figure out what games you want to watch. This team could easily be the Lob City of the East, and who wouldn’t want to watch that in person.

4. December 20, 2013 – Houston Rockets

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The Pacers play the Rockets twice in preseason, but both games are overseas. This will be the one and only time these two teams meet at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, unless they both make the Finals, so it will be the fans only chance to see the new look Rockets.

3. December 28, 2013 – Brooklyn Nets

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The Brooklyn Nets completed the largest makeover of the offseason and this will be the first time Pacers fans gets to see the new squad. Lots of veterans and Jason Kidd trying to tell them what to do. How could this not be a fun game to go to?

2. January 16, 2014 – New York Knicks

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This is the first Pacers game that will be broadcast on TNT, which means it will be the first appearance of Reggie Miller at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. When Uncle Reggie returns, so do the fans. Expect the Fieldhouse to be packed to the brim.

1. April 13, 2014 – Oklahoma City Thunder

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I still have no idea why the NBA always bring the Thunder into Indy as one of the last regular season games every year, but they are doing it again this year. Everyone generally enjoys watching Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook play and this is the only chance Pacers fans will have, unless the two squads reach the Finals.